Japan-Soviet Treaty of Amity and Commerce

A basic treaty on commerce between Japan and the Soviet Union that was signed on December 6, 1957, ratified and came into effect on May 9, 1958. Its official name is the "Treaty on Commerce between Japan and the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics." After the collapse of the Soviet Union, the Russian Federation inherited this treaty. In addition to a preamble and 15 articles, it also contains annexes and exchange of notes. While treaties of commerce and navigation between Western countries broadly stipulate national treatment or most-favored-nation treatment in terms of entry, residence, social security, right of action, protection of property, freedom of economic activity, etc., the scope of such treatment permitted in the Japan-Soviet Treaty of Commerce is much narrower.

On the other hand, due to the unique nature of the Soviet Union, in which the exclusive right to foreign trade belonged to the state, the Soviet Union was allowed to set up trade representative offices and even branches in various cities in Japan. Along with the Japan-Soviet Treaty of Amity and Commerce, a trade payment agreement was concluded between the two countries and has been renewed many times. Based on this agreement, annual Japan-Russia trade consultations are held every year, and in 1985 they were upgraded from director-general level to vice-ministerial level consultations. Incidentally, Japan's trade with Russia in 2006 was 821,361,290,000 yen in exports and 774,446,450,000 yen in imports.

[Yasuo Ishimoto]

Source: Shogakukan Encyclopedia Nipponica About Encyclopedia Nipponica Information | Legend

1957年（昭和32）12月6日に調印、58年5月9日に批准書交換、発効した日ソ間の通商に関する基本的な条約。正式には「日本国とソヴィエト社会主義共和国連邦との間の通商に関する条約」。ソ連の崩壊の後、ロシア連邦がこの条約を継承した。前文と本文15か条のほか、付属書および交換公文が付属する。西側諸国間の通商航海条約が、入国、居住、社会保障、出訴権、財産の保護、経済活動の自由などに関して、広く内国民待遇または最恵国民待遇を規定するのに対し、日ソ通商条約ではこのような待遇の認められる範囲ははるかに狭い。

　他方で、ソ連では外国貿易の独占権が国家に属するという特殊性があったため、ソ連が通商代表部と、さらにその支部を日本の諸都市に置くことが認められてきた。日ソ通商条約とともに両国間で貿易支払協定が締結され、これまでたびたび更新されてきた。この協定に基づき、毎年日ロ貿易年次協議が行われているが、1985年に局長級から次官級協議に格上げされている。ちなみに日本の対ロ貿易額は2006年には輸出8213億6129万円、輸入7744億4645万円であった。

［石本泰雄］

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